CNSM at Home - January 2021
A Message from the Dean
Dear Faculty & Staff
Our Spring 2021 Semester is off and running!
I hope your classes have gotten off to a smooth start and you feel prepared for the semester ahead.
I was happy to hear that Governor Newsom, as a result of the COVID numbers coming back down, is lifting the longstanding stay-at-home orders in Los Angeles County. While this is great news, I urge you to remember that we are still in the grips of a deadly pandemic. Consistent and persistent efforts to keep COVID-19 at bay will only get us back to business-as-usual sooner. Make sure to keep yourself abreast of the frequently updated LA County guidelines.
Due to the increase (>1,000%) in cybersecurity attacks on the CSU, Multi-Factor Authentication will very soon be required for all faculty, staff, and students at CSULB. Take a moment to learn more about the planned MFA rollouts at CSULB and how they will impact you. I already pre-registered, and it was relatively painless.
As the pandemic wears on, I know that I am feeling extreme pandemic fatigue. I know how difficult the daily grind of managing zoom meetings, teaching AMI, and taking care of children along with the usual stresses of life can be on all of us and our students. As always, I encourage you to be kind to yourself and others. Be sure you schedule some time each week to help you relax. My heart goes out to all of you, as well as to our students, so many of whom are trying to learn with family members sharing space and internet, and in a format that is still pretty new to them. I am grateful, however, to know that CNSM has such a wonderful faculty and staff who care deeply for our students and show them such compassion.
Be well, be safe, be just.
Curt
Coming Your Way - Multi-Factor Authentication
As the Dean mentioned in his letter above, multi-factor authentication (MFA) is on its way for all of us in the CSU. MFA is an additional security layer used to protect sensitive information on web accounts and devices from cyber attacks.
As of January 27, 2021, all CSULB students are required to use multi-factor authentication. Faculty and staff will follow in March of 2021 or sooner.
You can read more in detail about the CSULB MFA rollout process. For any issues or questions, please contact your CNSM technical services team.
The Division of Information Technology (DoIT) at CSULB has also created the following video to explain what MFA is and how to set it up:
VIDEO: MFA Intro and Setup
The Spark - Dr. Rick Behl
(Formerly "How it All Started" Video Series)
VIDEO: The Spark - Dr. Rick Behl
Dr. Rick Behl, Chair of the Department of Geological Sciences, shares what sparked his interest in geology and how he ended up in his chosen field of study.
Commencement 2021
Save the Date: May 21, 2021
CNSM is excited to celebrate our graduates from 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 on Friday, May 21, 2021. Times and exact locations will be announced at a future date. The University is planning drive-through celebrations to celebrate graduates.
Things to know:
- RSVP/Registration will open on March 22 and end April 9. Students will be emailed through their CSULB email address to register for graduation. Registration links will not be available on the website. After April 9, no registration will be permitted due to the coordination required for this event. Those students who have already graduated will continue to have access to their emails for commencement updates. Spread the word to students who have already graduated to check their CSULB email. Information is also available on the Commencement Website.
- Grad Slide Registration will open on March 22. Graduates will need to provide a recording of their name for pronunciation purposes, a written quote, and upload a photo to complete their slide. The name pronunciation recording deadline is April 9. The personalized quote and photo deadline is May 1 as the slide can be used for the vehicle-based ceremony or for those not participating in the vehicle-based ceremony but still wish to have a slide made to share digitally.
- Full details on this year's commencement including vehicle requirements, ways to celebrate, live stream, grad fair, and more are available on the Commencement Website.
- Please urge your graduating students to check their emails. Future email communication and web updates will include links to:
- RSVP to attend Commencement: March 22 – April 9
- Submit name pronunciation information: March 22 – April 9
- Submit custom grad slide photo and quote by: May 1
- Claim vehicle pass: April 19 – May 7
Social & Racial Justice Advocacy
All CNSM Faculty & Staff are Cordially Invited
Social and Racial Justice - What We Can Do In CNSM
Presented by: Dr. Nicole Joseph
Friday, February 5, 2021
2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
Check your email for the Zoom link.
Join with your colleagues as we continue our journey as advocates for racial and social justice. We are fortunate to begin this semester with a presentation by Dr. Nicole Joseph, an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Science Education at Vanderbilt University and co-editor of Interrogating Whiteness and Relinquishing Power: White Faculty's Commitment to Racial Consciousness in the Classroom.
Dr. Joseph is also the founder of the Tennessee March for Black Women in STEM, an event held every fall which seeks to bring together the Tennessee community to raise awareness of the gendered racism Black women and girls experience in STEM. Her research explores two lines of inquiry, (a) Black women and girls, their identity development, and their experiences in mathematics, (b) Whiteness, White Supremacy and how it operates and shapes underrepresentation of Black women and girls in mathematics. Dr. Joseph's work has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Academy of Education/Spencer.
Scholarships
CNSM is pleased to announce that through the generosity of our donors, we will be able to award over fifty scholarships throughout CNSM and its departments.
Students can submit a single application and potentially qualify for multiple scholarships. The deadline to apply is March 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
Visit our Scholarships page to learn more about the available opportunities and criteria.
Keeping Up with CNSM - Hobbies and Interests
The pandemic has sidelined a lot of our typical hobbies and experiences. Some faculty and staff in CNSM have found new passions and hobbies, or resumed some they had halted long ago, as a method of creative expression during these challenging times.
Fiscal Officer
I discovered resin art while browsing through Instagram.
One of my friends has started her own Etsy shop and was using resin to make the cutest keychains and charms - I loved them all! So I did some extensive resin art research online. I was watching tutorials and safety videos on resin art and learning how to make keychains. Resin art is no joke and safety measures should be taken to protect yourself and those around you. A proper respiratory mask and gloves should be worn, and mixing/curing resin should be done in a well-ventilated area. The main reason i started making resin art was to create custom gifts and keychains for my friends. I've had so much fun experimenting with pigments and dyes; it helps me add some personality to my gifts. I hope my friends like the pieces I make as much as I liked making them.
Instructional Support Technician
Pre-plague times I would regularly go out social dancing 2-3 nights a week (specifically Lindy hop). Unfortunately, a ballroom with many people dancing with each other would now be a super spreader event.
Since my regular hobby and exercise was put on hold for the time being, I added a few new ones. I now do all my exercise in my VR headset, roller skate, and cross stitch gifts & decorations. When I get to come back to campus, my office will be a great place for some of the pieces I've made.
Local Love: Take-Out Edition
10 Take-Out Options in Long Beach
By: Allie Puz
Since March 2020, we've been on one tier or another of county stay-at-home orders. I don't know about you, but I feel like I've been cooking like crazy for the last 10 months.
Sometimes I need a break and ordering in is just the ticket.
These are my top 10 places that do delivery or carry-out in the Long Beach area.
1. Ellie's
Delicious italian shared plates and meals right here in the LBC. Ellie's is great for a date night, specials occasions, or any time you just want great food.
My Order: Grilled Bread Board & Cavatelli
2. Baja Sonora
A staple of Long Beach Cal-Mex food, Baja Sonora has great deals on Taco Tuesdays and some of the best salsa around. Their menu makes it easy to accommodate both kids and adults.
My Order: Deep Fried Hard Taco or Chile Relleno (and tons of chips and salsa)
3. Vibes Beach Cafe
If you miss going to brunch as much as I do, Vibes is the perfect take-out option. They also have lots of gluten-free and vegan options on their menu.
My Order: Avo Smashed Tartine or Chilaquiles
4. Yang Chow 2.0
Yang Chow 2.0 is right next to Baja Sonora in East Long Beach. The food here always tastes really fresh and is made to order. You get large portions of delicious food and great service.
My Order: Slippery Shrimp Bowl with White Rice and Chili Oil
5. Portola Coffee Roasters
Sometimes I get a little sick of my same Starbucks or Coffee Bean orders. Located in the LBX Hangar, Portola offers a delicious, artisan coffee alternative that's great for an afternoon pick-me-up.
My Order: Rose & Cardamom Latte or an Americano
6. The 4th Horseman
4th Horseman offers tons of unique pizzas that you won't see anywhere else. This is definitely a guilty pleasure type of order but it's an easy way to be a little more adventurous.
My Order: The Pale Horse
7. Portuguese Bend Distilling
Delicious, hearty fare divided into brunch, lunch, and all-day menu options. The restaurant also offers family sized meals, vegan plates, handmade cocktails, and spirits.
My Order: Short Rib Ravioli and Suga Suga Cocktail
8. Mendocino Farms
Mendocino Farms recently opened a kitchen in Long Beach for delivery. They offer fresh sandwiches, salads, and seasonal plates that always taste great.
My Order: Chicken Cobb Salad with Basil Pesto Vinaigrette
9. Open Sesame
Lebanese food is always a hit in our house and ordering from Open Sesame feels like a special treat every time.
My Order: Grilled Halloumi Cheese & Watermelon, Chicken Tawook Plate
10. MVP Grill
If you love huge portions and sandwiches packed with deli meat, then MVP Grill is for you. Lots of guilty pleasure, comfort food that will make the whole family happy.
My Order: George Foreman VI Burger with French Fries or Tator Tots
I hope you take advantage of this list and get to have a great meal from a local Long Beach restaurant.
If you have a favorite take-out spot that's not on this list, share it with us so we can spread the love.
Stay Safe & Healthy CNSM!
